- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFamily gatherings, celebrations, extravagant meals, and lavish desserts—the holiday season is full of indulgences that can be damaging to your heart health. We asked William C. Maxted, MD, cardiologist and director of the Heart and Vascular Unit at Anne Arundel Medical Center, to share tips for maintaining a healthy heart while still enjoying all the holiday season has to offer. Here are four of his recommendations: 1. Enjoy Without Overindulging The holidays and food go hand in hand. With food at the center of attention from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, it’s easy to overindulge at times. It’s okay to eat the foods you enjoy, but it’s important to still be mindful of what you’re eating. Eat more slowly and visit the buffet with a smaller plate to help you to keep portions in control. And, a diet- and fitness-tracking app helps you keep an eye on how many calories you are really consuming. It’s best to avoid food with a lot of salt, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure. Don’t overindulge on alcohol either, as it can affect your heart in many different ways, even causing heart rhythm disturbances. Moderate alcohol intake is best—ideally two drinks at most. Even if you don’t have a heart condition, excess alcohol should be avoided. 2. Remember to Relax Pressure from hosting family and friends, travel, holiday shopping, and attending multiple parties can raise stress and anxiety levels. A high level of stress is never good for your heart. Planning ahead and setting limits is the best way to enjoy the holidays while avoiding additional stress and anxiety. Be realistic about what you can fit into your schedule and prioritize. 3. Exercise When You Can It can be difficult to maintain an exercise routine during the hectic holiday season. Try incorporating exercise into your schedule of holiday activities. 4. Listen to Your Body There is an increase in cardiac deaths during the holidays, possibly because people ignore symptoms to avoid disrupting the merriment. When symptoms arise that could be cardiac related, seek medical care immediately. A delay can end in a worse result than stopping the holiday party, and it’s not worth the risk. Author William C. Maxted Jr., MD, is a cardiologist at Cardiology Associates in Annapolis and Bowie. He can be reached at (410) 573-6480.
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor people 65 years old and older, we recommend two vaccines. The first is the high-dose seasonal flu shot. Except in rare cases, everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. Patients age 65 and up should get the high-dose shot. It has four times the amount of antigen, the ingredient that starts your immune system making antibodies, as the regular shot. Older people who get influenza are at risk for serious complications from the disease, which could lead to hospitalization or death. Because of this, it is much better for seniors to receive a vaccination before the worst of the flu season hits. This will be our second year giving the high-dose shot. Last year we saw 40 percent fewer cases of flu among seniors who had the high-dose vaccine compared to those who opted for the regular dose. The second shot we recommend is the Prevnar-13 vaccination, which protects against 13 strains of streptococcal pneumonia. Because older people tend to have more conditions that weaken their immune system—such as diabetes, asthma or COPD—protection against strep bacteria is very important. Just as with influenza, seniors who develop pneumonia are at greater risk for complications, such as blood infections or meningitis. We have a good supply of both vaccines and encourage everyone to come in for your shots. We can administer the shots on a walk-in basis—no appointment is needed—and the cost is covered by most insurance. Author By Meetu Agrawal, MD, a primary care physician at AAMG Largo Primary Care. To reach her, call 301-925-7610.
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDry needling is a procedure similar to acupuncture, but based on Western medicine. It uses a very thin, solid-filament needle inserted at myofascial trigger points where multiple top bands of tissues come together. Dry needling is used to help reduce muscle pain at the site or referred pain in the adjacent area. Referred pain is when a problem exists somewhere else in the body other than where you feel the pain. Dry needling can help anyone with chronic tension, spasms or soreness in the muscles, tendons or ligaments. It is also good for treating migraines and tension headaches. While it uses similar tools as acupuncture — in fact, the needles are the same — dry needling is based on Western medical practice and long-term research into how nerve signals travel from the point of pain and are perceived by the brain. The research shows insertion of one or more needles at the point of pain or in the tissue nearby can help lessen pain. For example, if you experience pain in your ankle, you might be helped by having dry needle insertion in the muscle that runs from the calf to the foot in order to “re-route” the pain signals. Dry needling is used to help any musculoskeletal problems, such as chronic calf tightness, tennis elbow or for a sciatic issue that hasn’t responded to treatment. Sports medicine specialists, physical therapists or physiatrists often refer patients when standard manual techniques in physical therapy haven’t reduced pain sufficiently. Author By James Bickley, a physical therapist and dry needling site coordinator at AAMG Physical Therapy in Odenton. To reach his practice, call 410-674-1650.
- Behavioral Health, Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIs vaping a safe smoking alternative? No! Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are commonly advertised as a “healthier” and cheaper alternative to cigarette smoking. However, smoking e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, is not an approved method for smoking cessation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Inhaling a vaporized liquid solution rather than smoke from burning tobacco may sound safer, but it is important to remember e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and the amount can vary widely among brands. The FDA found that even some e-cigarette cartridges that claimed to be nicotine-free contained varying amounts of nicotine, as well as known carcinogens such as diethylene glycol (an ingredient found in anti-freeze) and nitrosamines. Also, the long-term effects of vaping and secondhand vapor inhalation are unknown. Additionally, there is concern that e-cigarette usage will reverse the progress made in teenage smoking prevention and may normalize smoking behaviors. Virtually anyone can sell or buy e-cigarettes. Convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores offer the most popular brands. And, unlike traditional tobacco products, there are no restrictions on Internet sales, which makes it relatively easy for young people to make online purchases. Without scientific data establishing the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes, there is no basis for recommending them as an alternative to cigarette smoking. Talk to your doctor about how to stop smoking. If you have teenagers, talk to them about the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping. Get Screened Are you a longtime smoker age 55 to 80? You may meet the criteria for lung cancer screening. Yearly low-dose CT scans are effective at finding lung abnormalities and detecting cancers early. To find out if you are a candidate, call AAMC’s Lung Screening Program at 443-481-5838. Listen to a Living Well with Cancer interview with Dr. Cattaneo and learn more about lung cancer screenings. Author By Stephen Cattaneo, MD, medical director of thoracic oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach him, call 443-481-5838.
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhether you are a marathon runner or just on your feet a lot, a good pair of shoes is your greatest asset. Just ask David J. Keblish, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. During a deployment in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the retired Navy Captain says his best piece of gear was his trail-running shoes. “They were very durable and stiff, and held up well in that environment,” says Dr. Keblish. In the world of shoes and orthotics, Dr. Keblish says there are three types of feet: high-arched, flat-footed and neutral. If you are one of the extremes—high-arched or flat-footed—finding the right pair of running shoes is especially important. Types of Feet High-arched Those with high arches should look for shoes with extra cushioning, because these feet do not absorb shock as well. Flat-footed People with flat feet, or fallen arches, should look for shoes with motion control or stability. Lower arches mean the bones and tissues in the foot endure more stress, and the stiff soles of these types of shoes help support them. Neutral Dr. Keblish says most people fall into the neutral category and have fewer specific needs, but can still benefit from buying a pair of shoes that is both stiff and supportive. People with flat feet, or fallen arches, should look for shoes with motion control or stability. Lower arches mean the bones and tissues in the foot endure more stress, and the stiff soles of these types of shoes help support them. Those with high arches should look for shoes with extra cushioning, because these feet do not absorb shock as well. “The shoe should not be ‘zero-drop,’ meaning the heel should be raised a little to put tendons in a better position,” says Dr. Keblish. “You should also have padding for your whole foot.” If you already have a pair of running shoes you cannot bear to part with, over-the-counter orthotic insoles can be helpful. But, Dr. Keblish adds, only people with extreme foot conditions, such as chronic heel spurs or arthritis, need to consider custom orthotics. If you are not sure what type of foot you have, Dr. Keblish recommends going to a running shoe store where salespeople can evaluate your feet. Or, he says, there are plenty of websites that can help you evaluate your feet on your own. Barefoot Running: An Ill-advised Trend Read more about how barefoot running might hinder your performance. Contributor David J. Keblish, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon with AAMG Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists. He can be reached at 410-268-8862.
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